Arsenal legend joins TT coaching staff

The announcement was made yesterday at a press conference held at the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TT FA) office at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain.

Lawrence, who was appointed as the TT head coach on January 21, was also officially unveiled as the TT coach yesterday.

Campbell, born to Jamaican parents, made 73 appearances for England between 1996 and 2007. President of the TT FA David John-Williams said Lawrence has been granted the luxury to choose his staff.

John-Williams said, “Dennis has been given the opportunity to choose his own staff. Over the last couple of days he has recommended somebody who he would like to be his assistant.

He is a UEFA Pro Licence coach. He is a legend in the game, in the English Premiership.

He was part of the Arsenal invincibles and that person is Sol Campbell. I have been able to secure his signature at five o’clock this morning (yesterday), so he is signed and on board.” Lawrence scored a header against Bahrain in 2005 to earn TT a spot at the 2006 World Cup in Germany. The TT FA president is hopeful Lawrence can use his head in a different capacity.

John-Williams said, “His head took us to the World Cup in 2006, and now he is charged with using that same head in a different way to take us to Russia 2018.

Dennis, I welcome you officially on board and all the best.” Lawrence, who thanked Roberto Martinez and Graeme Jones for giving him his first coaching stint in England with Wigan Athletic, said it will be a tough task to qualify for Russia but it is not impossible. Lawrence, for the second time since his appointment, was unwilling to divulge the details of his contract.

“The length of my contract is the length of my citizenship. I am here and I am committed to Trinidad and Tobago football if it takes me the rest of my life.” Prior to Lawrence getting the job, Belgian Tom Saintfiet was the TT coach for a month before resigning, citing a lack of support from the TT FA.

There have been some situations of indiscipline among the TT footballers in recent times, something Lawrence is confident he can resolve.

“I’ve spent four and a half years in the Army, I think everybody knows my background. I have conducted myself in a very disciplined, professional manner throughout my life and my career.

“In terms of discipline there is going to be clear directions to what I expect, what Trinidad and Tobago as a country expect, and I also expect the players to follow these patterns and be able to work and enjoy the work.” Last year, three national players were reprimanded for leaving camp to attend a boat ride, while months later two players allegedly showed up to training camp smelling of alcohol.

Veteran TT striker Kenwyne Jones has been out of favour recently but Lawrence said that all players, once committed, will be a part of his team.

“Every player that holds a Trinidad and Tobago passport is going to be in my setup, he is going to be involved. Kenwyne is a player that I know very well, I played with Kenwyne, I spoke to Kenwyne, I’ve got a relationship with Kenwyne. Kenwyne has given yeoman service to Trinidad and Tobago football.” The new coach said he plans to keep the communication lines open with his players. “I plan to speak to the players over the next couple weeks, find out exactly what are their thoughts and what are they thinking. Any player that wants to be involved with me there is an open door.

If a player for whatever reason thinks he is not up for the task, and he does not want to be involved, I will move on to the next player. The players that I want around me are going to be the players that are committed to the cause and the goals that I want to achieve for Trinidad and Tobago.” Lawrence’s first major goal will be getting favourable results when the World Cup qualifiers resume. TT will face Panama on March 24 and Mexico on March 28. Both matches will be played at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.